Portable stage system

Abstract

A portable stage includes a folding framework supporting a removable deck. The framework includes opposing folding end framework assemblies and opposed side framework assemblies. The framework folds from an extended position for use and a folded positon wherein the framework is compact for storage. The side framework assemblies each include corner columns connected by angled portions having a V configuration forming an open space below the deck. The decks connect with pin connectors that extend into through holes in the deck. The pin connectors having a threaded connector supporting a pin that provides for relative axial movement when the pin is rotated from above to adjust stage height. Removable guardrails include mounting brackets that attach to the pin connectors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable stage comprising:
 a deck having a planar first face and an opposite planar second face, a through-hole extending vertically through the deck between the first face and the second face; 
 a frame below the deck, the frame supporting the portable stage on a surface and having a vertical column extending to the surface; 
 a pin slidably and removably extending upward into the through-hole a fixed distance and having a top engagement portion configured to be engaged from above through the through-hole; and 
 a height adjustment assembly mounted on the vertical column of the frame, the height adjustment assembly comprising a fixed bushing, an axially movable socket, and a rod and attached to an underside of the pin, the rod threadably engaging the bushing, wherein rotation of the pin and the attached rod relative to the socket and the bushing axially moves the socket relative to the bushing, the deck being removably supported on the socket, the height adjustment assembly raising the socket and the deck upon rotation of the pin in a first direction; 
 wherein the pin is insertable from below into the through-hole from either the first face or the second face of the deck and the deck is mountable onto the pin and wherein a portion of one of the first face or the second face of the deck proximate the through-hole faces downward and is resting on the height adjustment assembly with the other of the first face or the second face of the deck forming an upper surface. 
 
     
     
       2. A portable stage according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment assembly lowers the deck upon rotation of the pin in a second direction. 
     
     
       3. A portable stage according to  claim 1 , wherein the top engagement portion comprises a tool engagement recess at an upper surface of the pin and configured for engagement from above by a complementary tool extending through the through-hole. 
     
     
       4. A portable stage according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sliding insert in the through-hole engaging a top of the pin and defining a passage aligned with a top of the pin. 
     
     
       5. A portable stage according to  claim 4 , further comprising an end cap at each end of the through-hole proximate the first face and the second face, the end caps retaining the sleeve in the through-hole, the end cap having a center opening. 
     
     
       6. A portable stage according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve slidably retained in the through-hole between a first position proximate the first face and a second position proximate the second face, the sleeve engaging a top of the pin. 
     
     
       7. A portable stage according to  claim 1 , wherein the stage comprises a plurality of the decks and wherein the height adjustment assembly comprises a plurality of pins configured for supporting the plurality of the decks. 
     
     
       8. A portable stage according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the deck is unobstructed. 
     
     
       9. A portable stage comprising:
 a deck having a through-hole extending vertically through the deck; 
 a frame below the deck, the frame supporting the portable stage on a surface and having a vertical column extending to the surface; 
 a pin removably extending into the through-hole and having a top engagement portion configured to be engaged from above through the through-hole; and 
 a height adjustment assembly mounted on the vertical column of the frame and attached to the pin, the deck being removably supported on the height adjustment assembly, the height adjustment assembly raising the deck upon rotation of the pin in a first direction; 
 a pin connector assembly, the pin connector assembly including a plurality of further pins, the further pins being spaced and configured for extending into a corresponding through-hole in a corresponding bridging deck; 
 wherein the further pins are rotatably mounted to move between a lowered position in which the further pins extend substantially horizontally and a raised position in which the further pins extend vertically, on arms extending from a housing and wherein the housing is rotatably mounted for positioning one or more of the arms below the deck. 
 
     
     
       10. A portable stage comprising:
 a deck having a through-hole extending vertically through the deck; 
 a frame below the deck, the frame supporting the portable stage on a surface and having a vertical column extending to the surface; 
 a pin removably extending into the through-hole and having a top engagement portion configured to be engaged from above through the through-hole; and 
 a height adjustment assembly mounted on the vertical column of the frame and attached to the pin, the deck being removably supported on the height adjustment assembly, the height adjustment assembly raising the deck upon rotation of the pin in a first direction; 
 a pin connector assembly, the pin connector assembly including three arms extending from the housing, each of the arms having a further pin mounted thereon; the further pins being spaced to extend into through-holes of further decks and support a corner of the further decks; 
 wherein the further pins are rotatably mounted on the arms to move between a lowered position in which the further pins extend substantially horizontally and a raised position in which the further pins extend vertically and wherein the housing and each of the pins are rotatably mounted for positioning one or more of the arms below the deck; 
 wherein the further pins are rotatably mounted on the arms to move between a lowered position and a raised position and wherein the housing and each of the pins are rotatably mounted for positioning one or more of the arms below the deck. 
 
     
     
       11. A mobile stage comprising:
 a frame including a vertical column; 
 a height adjustment assembly mounted on an upper portion of the vertical column, the height adjustment assembly comprising a fixed bushing, an axially movable socket, and a rod attached, the rod threadably engaging the bushing; 
 an upward extending pin mounted on the to the rod of the height adjustment assembly and rotating with the rod, wherein rotation of the pin and the attached rod relative to the socket and the bushing axially moves the socket relative to the bushing; 
 a deck having a first face and an opposite second face with a through-hole extending vertically through the deck from the first face to the second face; the deck being supported on the height adjustment assembly with the pin removably slidably extending into the through-hole; 
 wherein the pin is insertable into the through-hole a fixed distance from either the first face or the second face of the deck and the deck is mountable onto the pin and wherein a portion of one of the first face or the second face of the deck proximate the through-hole faces downward and is resting on the height adjustment assembly with the other of the first face or the second face of the deck forming an upper surface. 
 
     
     
       12. A mobile stage according to  claim 11 , the height adjustment assembly being raised upon rotation of the pin in a first direction and lowering upon rotation of the pin in a second direction. 
     
     
       13. A mobile stage according to  claim 11 , further comprising a sleeve slidably retained in the through-hole and engaging a portion of the pin and having a passage extending through the sleeve. 
     
     
       14. A mobile stage according to  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve defines a recessed portion having a diameter greater than the passage, the recessed portion engaging an upper portion of the pin. 
     
     
       15. A portable stage comprising:
 a deck having a through-hole extending vertically through the deck; 
 a frame below the deck, the frame supporting the portable stage on a surface and having a vertical column extending to the surface; 
 a pin removably extending into the through-hole and having a top engagement portion configured to be engaged from above through the through-hole; and 
 a height adjustment assembly mounted on the vertical column of the frame and attached to the pin, the deck being removably supported on the height adjustment assembly, the height adjustment assembly raising the deck upon rotation of the pin in a first direction; 
 a pin connector assembly, the pin connector assembly including a plurality of arms extending from the housing, each of the arms having a further pin mounted thereon; the further pins being spaced to extend into through-holes of further decks and support a corner of the further decks; 
 wherein the further pins are rotatably mounted on the arms to move between a lowered position and a raised position and wherein the housing and each of the pins are rotatably mounted for positioning one or more of the arms below the deck.